PowerShell: Obfuscated Clip.exe Launcher via Command/Clipboard Execution

title: "PowerShell: Obfuscated Clip.exe Launcher via Command/Clipboard Execution"
id: 96670d2c-a77f-481e-8d47-e3040aef3156
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell script block content that uses obfuscated command execution to invoke clip.exe (optionally with a .exe suffix) and chains it to further actions, including clipboard-related patterns. Attackers may use clip.exe and obfuscation to stage execution while reducing straightforward command-line visibility. The detection relies on Script Block Logging telemetry, matching specific script block text patterns that include cmd-style execution and clip/clipboard constructs.
references:
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/issues/1009
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_invoke_obfuscation_clip.yml
author: Jonathan Cheong, oscd.community, Huntrule Team
date: 2020-10-13
modified: 2024-04-05
tags:
  - attack.stealth
  - attack.t1027
  - attack.execution
  - attack.t1059.001
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection_4104:
    ScriptBlockText|re: cmd.{0,5}(?:/c|/r).+clip(?:\.exe)?.{0,4}&&.+clipboard]::\(\s\\"\{\d\}.+-f.+"
  condition: selection_4104
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: high
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: 73e67340-0d25-11eb-adc1-0242ac120002
    type: derived